USA > California > Fresno County > History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Volume II > Part 113
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Having chosen California as his field of missionary work, Father Pierse crossed the wide ocean and the great continent, and arrived at Santa Monica in the fall of the same year. He was not long in getting domiciled and in obtaining an insight into American life and institutions; and he became assistant to the Rev. Patrick Hawe at Santa Monica's Catholic Church, Santa Monica.
In November, 1917, Father Pierse, after an effectual ministry at Santa Monica, in which he faithfully endeavored to preach the Gospel and to win souls to Christ and the holy Church, took charge of St. Paul's Catholic Church at Coalinga ; and as this is his first real charge, it is fortunate that he is so pleased with California, and so eager to become identified, more and more with her growth. His congregation has six hundred souls, and besides min- istering to their many wants, Father Pierse each month holds a service at Oilfield, and Sunday School there each Sunday.
Father Pierse is a live worker and organizer in the Knights of Columbus, and is alert to strengthen every agency for good already sponsored by the Church. In addition, he takes a keen interest in civic affairs and the purifica- tion of politics and the elevation of the franchise; and he may be counted on to be second to no one in endorsing every good movement, and in taking part in every good work, calculated to raise the morals of the community, the county and the state.
JOHN H. CARPENTER .- Fresno County is proud of the men who till the soil within her borders, and none stand higher in the esteem of their fellows than John H. Carpenter, owner of a twenty-acre raisin vineyard near Lone Star. Mr. Carpenter was born at Spanish Fort, Montagne County, Texas, June 13, 1880, a son of Jonas Michael and Nannie (Adkins) Carpenter. The father was born on March 21, 1849. and died May 27, 1896, in the place of his birth, Montagne County, Texas. The mother is the daughter of James B. and Sarah Adkins, both of whom are deceased. She was born on September 10, 1858, and is now residing in Oklahoma. She became the mother of the follow- ing children: Ida F., wife of Thomas Moore; John H., who married Maggie E. Cannon ; William B., who married Alson Lee; Mary E., Mrs. Milton A. Duncan ; George E., who married Bessie Griggsby; Hattie M., the wife of T. J. Gardenhire ; James M., who married Bertha Wood ; and Luther F., who married Marie W. Hail. Grandfather Moses Carpenter married for his first wife Avalina Costner, on June 26, 1827. She died on October 21, 1842, and on July 13, 1843, he was married to Francis Rudisell. He died June 10, 1858, and his widow passed away March 16, 1862.
When John H. Carpenter was nine years old his parents moved to Chick- asaw Reservation, Okla., and here the lad attended the public school in their district, grew up on his father's farm, and became familiar with farming and
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stockraising. In 1898 he went to Washita County, and in 1900 he established a home of his own, marrying Miss Maggie Cannon, born in Kentucky, but at that time residing in Oklahoma. This union has been blessed with four children, Bertha, a graduate of the Fresno Business College; Opal, who died aged nine years ; and Leona and Elsie.
Upon his arrival in California, Mr. Carpenter settled in Fresno County and began to familiarize himself with the fruit business. As soon as the ware- house at Lone Star became the property of the California Associated Raisin Company, in 1912, he became connected with the concern and thereafter worked hard to make it a successful venture for the company in that part of the county. The building is situated on the Santa Fe Railway, about eight miles southeast from Fresno, and is equipped with a stemmer and other neces- sary appurtenances to facilitate the handling of raisins. The warehouse was originally built by the raisin growers of that locality during the time that M. Theo. Kearney was president of the Raisin Association. In 1918, Mr. Car- penter was made manager of the warehouse and served during that season. He also runs his own ranch on North Avenue, which gives evidence of a master hand.
The Carpenter family are members of the Christian Church, in which organization Mr. Carpenter has been very active, for some time being super- intendent of the Sunday school. He is a member of the Fraternal Brother- hood, and in politics supports the Democratic administration. In the commu- nity where they have lived all these years, Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter and family are highly respected by all who know them.
PHILIPP RATHGEBER .- A valuable addition to the citizenry of Fresno County is Philipp Rathgeber, a well known pioneer of Yankton, S. D., and a successful cattleman and large landowner in that state. He made his advent into Fresno County in May, 1918, when he purchased the I. N. Zook place, a well improved ranch of forty acres devoted to raising peaches, figs and raisin grapes. This property he sold in February, 1919.
Philipp Rathgeber was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, November 14, 1857, a son of Christian and Barbara (Stiers) Rathgeber, both of whom were natives of Germany and were married there. In 1870, Mr. and Mrs. C. Rathgeber, with their family of four children, emigrated to America, re- maining in New York City about six months, then they removed to St Louis, Mo., where they resided eighteen months. Mrs. Rathgeber had one brother and two sisters at Yankton, S. D., which was then known as Dakota Terri- tory, and in 1872 the family moved to Yankton where the father bought a farm and here he continued to live until his death, during the winter of 1882, aged fifty-eight years. The mother continued to make her home at Yank- ton until she passed away in 1916, at the age of eighty-two years, hav- ing resided in Dakota for forty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Christian Rathgeber were the parents of four children: Philipp; Katie, who is the wife of Gust Mielands, of Yankton; Jacob, ex-sheriff of Yankton County, S. D., and a hardware merchant in Yankton; and Barbara, who is the wife of Bruno Strube, a partner in the hardware business with Jacob.
Philipp Rathgeber grew to manhood at Yankton, where he worked on the home place, having broken up the prairie land with oxen and horses for his father, who was in poor health. When twenty-four years of age in 1882, Mr. Rathgeber was united in marriage with Mary Ruben, a native of Madison County, Ill., who came to Yankton in the winter of 1880. They are the parents of five children: Emma, the wife of Mike Crowell, farmer and stockman of Meade County, S. D .; Pearl, the wife of Bert Zook, a raisin-grower of Fresno County ; Walter, who married Miss Hazel Wilkinson, of Sanger, and served his country in the army ; Lucy and Cassius, who are at home.
After his marriage Mr. Rathgeber started farming for himself in Bon Homme County, S. D., and in 1886 he moved to Rapid City where he took up a homestead and proved up on 160 acres. He engaged in the cattle busi-
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ness on the Cheyenne River and became very prosperous, and added by purchase to his original homestead until now he is the owner of 750 acres.
Mr. Rathgeber continued farming in South Dakota until the spring of 1918, when his health began to fail, and like many others who needed a change of climate, his thoughts turned towards California and in May, 1918, he came to Fresno County, and here he is regaining his health and enjoying the glorious climate and sunshine of the Golden State, happy in the thought that now he is safe from the severity of Dakota's blizzards. Mr. Rathgeber is a man of much business ability and numbers among his acquaintances in South Dakota such noted men as Hon. Bartlett Tripp of Yankton, Ex- Governor Andrew E. Lee of Vermilion, Ex-Senator Frank Pettigrew of Sioux Falls, and Senator Johnson of Armour, S. D.
R. W. MASSEY, V. S .- A young and promising veterinary surgeon of acknowledged ability, Dr. R. W. Massey has been a resident of Reedley since April, 1916; and although but a recent acquisition to the professional circles of the town, he is rapidly becoming known as an expert in his special branch of surgery. He possesses a genial disposition and is skilful and courteous in his practice, which are potent factors in the rapid growth of his clientele. He was born in Texas, on June 21, 1891, the son of J. A. and Emma (Mont- gomery) Massey, natives of Georgia and Texas respectively. The family migrated to California in 1906 and are now residents of Selma. J. A. and Emma Massey were the parents of three children: Mary, Ola, and the sub- ject of this sketch, Dr. R. W. Massey.
Dr. Massey's early education was received in the public schools and was supplemented by attendance at the San Francisco Veterinary College, from which institution he was graduated in 1916. In April of the same year he established an office in Reedley, where he has been very successful in the practice of his profession. His office and hospital are equipped with the most modern appliances for the prosecution of scientific veterinary surgery and the combating of prevalent diseases of domestic animals.
Dr. R. W. Massey's marriage was solemnized on February 8, 1913, when he was united with Miss Ethel Gaut, daughter of J. A. Gaut, of Missouri. Her parents migrated to California about 1902. Two children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Massey: Frances; and Jack, who passed away in 1916.
OLE H. STAY .- Among the progressive and prosperous ranchers in Mt. Olive Township-a rancher of the type that California needs and wel- comes from among the most intelligent and industrious of the immigrants from other States-is O. H. Stay whose handsome residence, full-bearing vineyards and fruitful orchards speak eloquently of a life with a purpose, and a life with something accomplished. Mr. Stay took charge of forty acres of fruitland without previous experience, and made a success of the venture ; and then, having established confidence in himself, and the confidence of others in him, and provided a good market, purchased forty acres more and built a home suitable for a town residence. In 1919 he bought twenty acres more and improved it to muscats, peaches and figs.
A native of picturesque and romantic Norway, where he was born on July 21, 1858, Mr. Stay was reared and educated in the Scandinavian penin- sula, and when he was twenty-two he set sail for the New World. He first went to Canada, but concluding that the United States offered still greater inducements to the stranger who had his way to make in the world, he came under the Stars and the Stripes. Pushing to the northwest, he located in Minneapolis, and for five years he was active there in the lumber biisi- ness, serving others. After that, he came farther West and at Sharon and Mayville, N. D., he continued in the same line, but for himself. Some years having elapsed, he sold out his interests and moved to Minnesota, where he turned his attention to agriculture. Naturally progressive, blessed
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with excellent powers of observation and quick to learn, he continued for nine years in the North Star State.
In 1911, Mr. Stay came to California to look around; returned for a short while to South Dakota, to reenter the lumber business at Wallace, and then, after a year, sold out there for good, came to California again, and located in Fresno County, taking up his home on his present ranch. Now, by the most advanced methods, he leads in producing muscatel, Thompson and Malaga grapes, and peaches, with some acres of alfalfa.
In 1888, Mr. Stay married Miss Aletta Mogedahl, by whom he has had six children : Henrietta, now Mrs. Serstock; Clarence M .; William Reuben ; Echo M .; Phillip V .; and Lylha. Clarence entered the infantry service on August 6, 1918, and after training several months was on board ship ready to go to France when the armistice was signed. He was discharged in Feb- ruary, 1919. William Reuben enlisted on August 5, 1917, in the U. S Marines, trained at Mare Island, then was sent to New London, Conn., where he remained until discharged in March, 1919, as a corporal.
Mr. Stay is a worthy and popular member of the Masonic fraternity, having been made a Mason in Cooperstown, N. D. He is active in all civic movements, and with his good wife is always ready to aid in every effort for the public good.
CHARLES H. OLMSTEAD .- A good-natured, affable and hospitable young man, who is not only highly respected for his sterling character and business acumen, but is looked up to as a natural leader, is Charles H. Olm- stead, who took an active part in the organization and building up of certain social clubs for men in the oil-fields, and thereby benefited the lives of many a faithful worker. He was born at Syracuse, N. Y., on January 27, 1884, the son of Charles Olmstead, also a New Yorker, who was long engaged in farming near Syracuse, and who, after years of activity, retired with a com- fortable competency and, what is equally of importance, with the good will and esteem of his fellowmen. Mrs. Olmstead, who before her marriage was Mary Bowman, and who was also born at Syracuse, passed away several years ago.
The second oldest in their family of five children, Charles H. was reared at Syracuse and educated in its excellent public schools. At the age of eighteen he left home and made his way to Flint, Mich., where he was em- ployed at farming until 1906. In that year-the period of the earthquake and fire-he came to San Francisco and was soon engaged by the W. P. Fuller oil works. A year later he removed to Fresno and for ten or twelve months was in the service of the Santa Fe Railroad. Then he came to Coalinga; and being the kind of timber that far-seeing business folk seldom leave long un- employed, he engaged with the Associated Oil Company, on National 30, where he continued for a period of two years. His ability and close appli- cation to duty won for him a foremanship, but in 1910 he resigned, in order to assume still greater responsibility.
It was then that Mr. Olmstead entered the employ of the California Oil- fields, Ltd., and when they sold their holdings to the Shell, he continued with the new concern. He was foreman of Section 27, and later was transferred in the same capacity to the WV. K. lease. In 1916 he was again transferred as foreman of Sections 14, 10 and 15, for the Shell Company of California, and later his responsibilities were increased with the addition of Sections 22 and 24. This desirable place he has been filling with credit and ability ever since. He has also served as deputy sheriff for the past three years.
Mr. Olmstead is a member of the Red Men at Coalinga ; he worked hard and unselfishly to establish the Oilfields Club, already referred to, and, as actively, in organizing Section 14 Social Club, of which he is president, and which has its own well-appointed and spacious club-rooms, a credit alike to members and patrons.
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A. S. VOTAW .- The successful man of today is found in every walk of life and in every clime. A man of this stamp is found in A. S. Votaw, of Navelencia, in Fresno County. He is a native of Michigan, where he was born in 1861, but was reared and educated in Iowa, where he lived until 1889, when he felt the call of the West and migrated to California, locating in Mariposa County where he was engaged in mining for a time, also likewise engaged in Placer County. He next moved to Morgan Hill, Santa Clara County, and carried on a mercantile business until 1909. Always on the lookout for something better, from 1909 until 1914, he was engaged in an agricultural colonization proposition in Mexico, but owing to the Mexi- can revolution he was forced to suspend operations.
Returning to California, he came to Fresno County and assumed the management of the Navelencia Farm and Town Company. The property consisted of 1,000 acres, located about twenty-six miles east from Fresno. Under his management the land was sold off in tracts of from ten to twenty, and even larger, acreages. The company was started in 1914 by A. S. Spauld- ing and improvements now seen in the little town include a fine hotel, two stores, packing house, four residences, and a fine school house where two teachers are employed. Mr. Votaw resigned his position in October, 1918, in order to give his attention to his ranching operations.
He installed an up-to-date water system with a large tank of 5,000 gallons' capacity, to supply water to the town. This is his own personal property. He has a ranch of thirty-two acres, devoted to figs and Emperor grapes, which is well watered by wells and pumping plants to insure an adequate supply of water for irrigation purposes. He has a beautiful home in Navelencia, which is presided over by his wife, whom he married in 1916, and who was, prior to her marriage to Mr. Votaw, Mrs. Mabel Macdonald. Mr. Votaw is a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
MRS. LOUIS WAHL .- It is always a matter of particular satisfaction to learn that the good work begun by one who has passed on to his eternal reward and left a worthy record and influence behind him, is still being car- ried on by his widow. No more loyal and enthusiastic citizen may be found in Fresno County than Mrs. Wahl, who was born at Mesbach, Baden, Ger- many, the daughter of Anton Baudendistel, a baker there, and his wife, Marie (Glauser) Baudendistel. Both parents died in the locality in which they lived. There were six girls and three boys in the family; five daughters and one son are still living.
Mrs. Wahl, the second eldest in the family, was educated in the public schools of Baden, and soon after completing her education she left Germany for the New World. She had a sister living in San Francisco, and in 1871 joined her in the western metropolis. In 1875 she was married to Louis Wahl, a native of Württemberg, who had come to California in 1867. He had already enlisted in the regular army, thereby demonstrating his allegiance to the re- public, had served in Alaska, and had been honorably discharged. Following his army experience he had remained in San Francisco, and there he met his future life-companion.
Five years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Wahl purchased the twenty acres situated about four miles east of Fresno, where Mrs. Wahl now lives; and to their ranch they moved in 1885. When they first went there, the land was unimproved. They leveled it and set out vines, and by hard work made of it a productive vineyard, erecting a fine residence and constructing the necessary out buildings. This vineyard was called the Park Vineyard, from the fact that it had a beautiful park of trees which attracted the attention of all who passed. In front of the ranch was one of the largest cottonwood trees in the county.
After a very busy and fruitful life, Mr. Wahl died in 1896, in the fifty- sixth year of his age, respected, beloved, and mourned by a wide circle of
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friends. He was a member of the Herman Sons. A plain, cordial, honest citi- zen, his influence was always found to be on the side of everything making for the good of society and the improvement of the community in which he had such an intense interest. Since Mr. Wahl's death, his widow has con- tinued the operation of the ranch. She is a member of the California Asso- ciated Raisin Company.
As one of the oldest settlers in this part of the state, and probably the oldest in this immediate vicinity, Mrs. Wahl has seen much of the develop- ment of the county. From the beginning she had faith in Fresno County ; and that faith she has never ceased to foster.
CHARLES E. BUTNER .- Fresno has never wanted for professional men of high ideals and wide vision, to build wisely and well for the long, long future. Among such gifted men is Charles E. Butner, the well-known architect, who was born in North Carolina on July 31, 1888, the son of T. M. and Emily (Worth) Butner. He graduated in 1911 from the University of Pennsylvania.
For a while Mr. Butner worked for the City of Philadelphia, replanning the new boulevard system, and then he went to New York to help work out the problems of the Russell Sage Foundation, the ten-million-dollar movement in- augurated by Mrs. Russell Sage, in 1907, who left that immense sum for "the improvement of social and living conditions in the United States of America." He worked on the Model Community at Forest Hills Gardens, Long Island, and both gave and received in the experience. After that, he spent a year and a half looking for an attractive location; and having seen many of the finest neighbor- hoods in the country, he chose Fresno and its environs, taking up his new resi- dence in February, 1913. An influential Democrat, and always for Fresno and its best interests, Mr. Butner is secretary of the City Planning Commission.
As one of the firm of Glass & Butner, architects, Mr. Butner planned, among other edifices, the tentative public schools and the County Tubercular Hospital. He is also designing the new addition to the County Hospital. Besides, he has built many of the finest residences in the town. Among clubs with which he is affiliated may be mentioned the Architectural Society and the T-Square, both of Pennsylvania. Mr. Butner enlisted in July, 1917, in the air service as private, was commissioned lieutenant in December, 1917, and came out Captain, being honorably discharged at Montgomery, Ala., on March 10, 1919.
Subscribing to Presbyterian creeds, Mr. Butner, who is unmarried, also belongs to the Sunnyside Country Club and the Sequoia Club, while he is also a member of the Board of Governors of the University Club-an honor he prizes highly.
WILLIAM PERRY BEAUCHAMP .- A successful agriculturist who is making a specialty of scientific stock-raising, is William Perry Beauchamp, who was born at Harwood, in Vernon County, Mo., on September 27, 1883. His father, G. F. Beauchamp, was born in Indiana, and removed first to Ne- braska and then to Missouri, where he became a farmer. In 1908 he came to Fresno County, and he now resides at Monmouth, where he is still busy with farming. His wife was Anna Adams before her marriage, and she was a native of Illinois. Eight children-seven daughters and one son-were born to this worthy couple; and William Perry was the second in the order of birth. He was brought up on a farm in Missouri, and there attended the public schools. When twenty-two and still in his home-region, he began to farm for himself. He made a specialty of raising stock, and soon demon- strated his capability.
While in Missouri, Mr. Beauchamp was married to Miss Eva Everman, also a native of that state; and in February, 1909, they came west to Califor- nia and located in Selma. He leased a vineyard of eighty acres, which he operated for a year, when it was sold, and then he leased a peach orchard for a year. After that he rented eighty acres of vineyard and peach orchard, and
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for five years he was unusually successful. Mr. Beauchamp next purchased his present place, a fine tract of ninety-two acres on Biola Avenue, in 1915. He raised alfalfa, grain and peaches, and set out a vineyard of thirty acres of Thompson seedless and Sultanas. He made many improvements and engaged in dairying and the raising of cattle and hogs. He allied himself with the California Associated Raisin Company, and helped to boost the raisin interests of the state.
Mr. and Mrs. Beauchamp have six children: Mildred, Bessie, Wilber, Harold, Edna and Irene. Mrs. Beauchamp is a member of the Christian Church, and Mr. Beauchamp belongs to the Woodmen of the World. The Beauchamp family enjoys deserved popularity.
WILBUR T. BOYD, M. D .- A member of Fresno County's medical fraternity since 1912, Dr. Boyd is now located in offices in the center of the county's population, Fresno, and is meeting with substantial success as a specialist in eye, ear, nose and throat diseases. Born in Bedford City, Bedford County, Va., September 6, 1875, he was raised there and attended the public schools for his early education. He then entered the University of West Vir- ginia, at Morgantown, taking a course in pharmacy. He finished the course at the Ohio Northern University, at Ada, Ohio, graduated in pharmacy, and practised that profession in West Virginia a number of years.
Dr. Boyd came to California in 1902, and first located at Redlands, where he practised pharmacy two years. He then returned East and took a three- year course in medicine, in the Medical College of Virginia, at Richmond, Va. On completing his course, he returned to California, in 1910, and in 1911 graduated from the University of Southern California, with his degree of M. D. He then entered on the practice of his profession, remaining one year in Los Angeles, and in 1912 came to Fresno County, and practised for five years in Riverdale. Wishing to specialize in his work, the Doctor took a post- graduate course in eye, ear, nose and throat diseases at the University of Cal- ifornia, at Berkeley, and at Stanford University, at Palo Alto, dividing his time between the two colleges.
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